Posts with the category “devotions”

Our daily reading through the beginning of 2025 will be from the Revised Common Lectionary. Sunday, November 17: 1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25; Mark 13:1-8Monday, November 18: Psalm 3; 1 Samuel 3:19-4:2; Hebrews 10:26-31Tuesday, November 19: Psalm 3; Deuteronomy 26:5-10; Hebrews 10:32-39Wednesday, November 20: Psalm 3; 1 Kings 8:22-30; Mark 13:9...  Read More

Throughout the fall, there will be daily readings that will go along with our sermon series, Philippians: Reclaiming Joy. You can find them each week here on the blog, on our West Side app, or a link at the bottom of Friday's West Side Weekly. The readings will also be on the back of the Sunday bulletins.You are invited to pick up a Scripture Journal (in the Welcome Center) to capture notes and pr...  Read More

1. Study Guide from Waterbrook Multnomah Press.2. Sermon from Rich Villodas on Emotional Health, preached in Oct 20213. New Life also has a series on “Living an Authentic Life” - Here is the playlist4. A seminar that Pastor Chris gave during the height of the pandemic from NYC on Seeking Wisdom and Working Through Negative EmotionsBOOKS / RESOURCES1. The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to ...  Read More

Study Guide from Waterbrook Multnomah Press.Sermon from Rich Villodas at New Life Fellowship Church on Sexual Wholeness – preached in 2022.  Sermon Series – New Life also has a sermon series called “God and Our Bodies” – Here is the Playlist on YouTube.Timothy Keller’s teaching on Sexuality and Christian Hope is excellent. Also available in Podcast from Gospel in Life: On Spotify and Online.BOOKS ...  Read More

Sermon from Rich Villodas at New Life Fellowship Church on Contemplative Rhythms – preached in 2022.Study Guide from Waterbrook Multnomah Press. SABBATH RESOURSES Bible Project 5-Minute Sabbath VideoBible Project “Seventh-Day Rest – Sabbath” – 14 Video ResourcesSabbath and Scripture Podcasts from Christ City Church in Washington DC – 6 minute lectio divina podcasts on the theme of Sabbath.Sabbath ...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings close out our summer readings. We’ve journeyed with Eugene Peterson, Dallas Willard, NT Wright, the Desert Fathers, Brennan Manning, stories from the Bruderhof community, Anne Lamott, Annie Dillard and Henri Nouwen. Since this week ends in the Labor Day weekend, we finish the summer readings with reflections on work and Sabbath collected from various Christian autho...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings pickup on wisdom from two of my favorite authors named Anne – Anne LaMott and Annie Dillard. As you work to set aside time for prayer and reflection, here are 2 comments from these authors that I love:“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” ― Anne Lamott “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ― A...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings spend time with the various calls in the New Testament to live awake and alert.The source of the daily readings is N.T. (Tom) Wright’s book, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church. If you are meeting with your small group this week, there is a YouTube discussion you may enjoy (you can see Durham where Pastor Laurie earne...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings continue the reflections on prayer that we began with the parables from Luke 11 and 18 on this past Sunday.The source of the daily readings are from many sources alongside Andrew Murray.Devotions for the Week of August 10...  Read More

I find it so challenging to live in a space alert to and faithfully discerning the sources of sin and evil while withholding the judgment that belongs only to God. The writings of a group of early church leaders we have come to refer to as the Desert Fathers and Mothers has taught me so much in this regard, so some of their sayings and parables are the writings that accompany our readings this wee...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings focus on forgiveness, with references and links to the Plough publishing website – the literary arm of the Bruderhof community that left Germany in the late 1930’s as a result of Nazi persecution for their pacifist beliefs. Each of these quotes is taken from an article with links so that you can read the whole thing – they are all quick reads and I hope these reflec...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings are taken from the writings of Dallas Willard, another trustworthy guide on spiritual disciplines that equip and empower the “grace sustained habits” of people who follow Jesus’ way, living into the kingdom of heaven.The gospel readings for each week continue to make our way through Mark’s gospel. Remember as you read to imagine you are one of the disciples. What ar...  Read More

Blessings on this beautiful summer morning in Seattle, and please forgive me for sending the devotions for this week to you so late in the morning. Each week this summer the readings with the devotions will come from one author. This week we begin to read through the gospel of Mark (whose author is traditionally John Mark, a relative of Peter) and the spiritual reflections are from Henri Nouwen. I...  Read More

During the summer weeks we will send one devotional guide for the week rather than daily devotions. This week the readings from the Old and New Testament reflect on Jesus’ kingdom mission to seek and to save the lost. Devotions are included as a pdf.The reflections quoted with each day’s readings this week are from the book “The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat Up, and Burnt O...  Read More

This Saturday’s musical devotional from Anthony Spain will be his last this summer - thank you Anthony for the thoughtful Saturday devotions during this season.I grew up just a few miles from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, which also meant I was only about 30 miles from Washington D.C.  Being close to both places, I came to appreciate and understand, at an early age, the dedication and ...  Read More

Psalms 11-15, Proverbs 3, Philippians 3:15-21Our devotion today is another of John Baillie's daily prayers. God of my forefathers, I cry unto You. You have been the refuge of good and wise women and men in every generation. When history began, You were the first enlightener of human minds, and Your's was the Spirit that first led them out of their brutish estate and made them human. Through all th...  Read More

Psalms 6-10, Proverbs 2, Ephesians 4:25-32Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29Bruce Larson used to say that we need 5 “Atta Boys” for every 1 “You jerk”. Marriage researchers at the Gottman Institute (University of Washington) confirmed the same 5:1 rat...  Read More

Psalms 1-5, Proverbs 1, Luke 18It’s time to call out the big dogs.Prayer and Fasting.We are 5 months now since learning of the first COVID deaths in the Seattle area. Five months. We thought then 6, maybe 8 weeks and we would be over the worst and returning to normal. This is one stubborn virus ...Do you remember the story of the second string disciples? The starters had gone up the mountain with ...  Read More

Psalms 146-150, Proverbs 30, Luke 13:6-9PatienceEssential to love (1 Cor. 13:4) - a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) - a characteristic divine virtue to which we owe our salvation (2 Pet. 3:15). Boy howdy is it difficult ...Reflecting on the difference between patience and waiting, I wonder what distinguishes one from the other. Patience requires waiting of course. Each appears outwardly inactive. ...  Read More

(Our devotion today is from David Brenner)Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all of this?”They answered, “Yes.”He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”Matthew 13:51 (The Message paraphrase, by Eugene Peterson)Ever since college, I’ve t...  Read More

Our Saturday devotion is from Music Director Anthony Spain - thank you Anthony! Psalms 131-135, Proverbs 27Reality check - “El Shaddai” by Amy Grant is now almost 40 years old- really you might ask? Yes, as it was released in 1982.I distinctly remember where I was when I first experienced this song. At the time, I was touring throughout the west and mid-west with a Christian music group, and was i...  Read More

Psalms 126-130, Proverbs 26, John 12:23-25, Galatians 5:22-26I wonder how fruitful you feel during this Coronavirus? I still find I get to the end of the day and wonder where it has gone...Today we are on the final seed/soil combo in the parable of the sower -- fruitful harvest! So it is worth remembering what Jesus says about the fruitful life:Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls...  Read More

Psalms 121-125, Proverbs 25, Matthew 6:25-34This will be a quick devotional, because honestly I've found when it comes to the 'worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things' (Mark 4:19, the 'thorns' that choke out Jesus' message of the kingdom of God) a lot of extra words don't help.Two words help.A verse of Scripture that refocuses our attention on God's love, suff...  Read More

Psalms 116-120 / Proverbs 24 / Micah 6:8 / John 15:1-8Sustained discipleship is difficult.The last two days we have reflected on the hard ground that gave the seed (the message of the kingdom of God) no purchase. Today I’m reflecting on the seed that falls upon rocky soil, springs up quickly (I always imagine enthusiastically!) but then withers in the heat of the day because it has no roots. Jesus...  Read More

Psalms 111-115 / Proverbs 23 / Ezekiel 36:25-27 / Matthew 13:14-16In the middle of the parable of the sower – between the story and its explanation – Jesus quotes the prophecy from Isaiah 6:For this people’s heart has become calloused;they hardly hear with their ears,and they have closed their eyes.Otherwise they might see with their eyes,hear with their ears,understand with their heartsand turn, ...  Read More

Psalms 106-110, Proverbs 22, Mark 4:1-20When your words came, I ate them;they were my joy and my heart’s delight,for I bear your name,Lord God Almighty.(Jeremiah 15:16)Yesterday in worship we considered some of Jesus’ parables about seeds, including the parable of the sower from Mark 4. It is repeated in our reading today. Our devotions this week tarry on this idea of the different soils – the rec...  Read More

Our devotions this Saturday come from music director Anthony Spain.Isaiah 53:3He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.Realizing he was going deaf, a young composer began to shut himself away from people out of embarrassment. He then cried out in writing when he was...  Read More

Psalms 91-95 / Proverbs 19 / John 8:33-36It seems fitting on Juneteenth to share reflections from Dr. Tony Evans (Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas). Today in particular, I am humbled and ashamed at the injustice against enslaved persons in our history -- grateful for all that the witness of the Black church in America reveals to us about the depth and breadth of gospel endurance -- a...  Read More

Psalms 86-90 / Proverbs 18 / Hebrews 3:1-13Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ...(Hebrews 3:7)Today.Over the past couple of weeks, seeking refreshment for soul as well as body, I found myself returning to a classic of Jesuit spiritual formation -- Self Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. I love that title.  I can picture one of my nephews as a small bo...  Read More

While Pastor Laurie is away, our devotions are from members of the West Side family. It's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today's devotion is from Stacy Kutz. Stacy is on staff at WSPC, working with our Kids & Families, Youth, and Young Adults.(Psalm 13)My last few devotionals focused on hope. Hope in Jesus through the power of the Ho...  Read More

While Pastor Laurie is away, our devotions are from members of the West Side family. It's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today’s devotion is from West Side missionary Vic Trautwein. Leslie and Vic Trautwein were members at West Side from 1994-1996 and have been West Side supported missionaries with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republi...  Read More

While Pastor Laurie is away, our devotions are from members of the West Side family. It's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today’s devotion is from Craig Chamberlain. Craig leads the design team at Fujifilm Sonosite and is a former Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship.Exodus 40:34-35, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, Acts 2:1-3Daily, prayerfu...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today's devotion is from Anthony Spain. Anthony is our Music Director.Tomorrow is graduation Sun...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today’s devotion is from Rick Boogaard. Rick has been a deacon, elder and served on pastor nomin...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today’s devotion is from Dave Pimblett. Dave is current serving as an elder and has spent MANY y...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today’s devotion is from Mark Koelling. Mark is a current Elder. He is enjoying retirement with ...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today's devotion is from Stacy Kutz. Stacy is on staff at WSPC, working with our Kids & Families...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time. Today's devotion is from Anthony Spain. Anthony is our Music Director.Last Sunday’s devotion fo...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.Today's devotion is from Stacy Kutz. Stacy is on staff at WSPC, working with our Kids & Families...  Read More

All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time. Today's devotion is from Stacy Kutz. Stacy is on staff at WSPC, working with our Kids & Famili...  Read More